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  • Armature: A metal structural support for a rigid projecting sign. The armature may support the bracket sign by means of one or two projecting arms.

  • Brick Molding: A milled wood trim piece covering the gap between the window frame and masonry, which can be rectilinear, curved, or composite-curved.

  • Came: A slender rod of cast lead, with or without grooves, used in casements and stained-glass windows to hold the panes or pieces of glass together.

  • Building Plan: A drawing that shows a horizontal view.

  • Keystone: The central wedge-shaped member of a masonry arch; also used as a decorative element on arches in wood structures.

  • Leade: A horizontal or vertical cylinder, usually made of metal, which carries water from the gutter to the ground.

  • Sidelight: A vertically framed area of fixed glass, often subdivided into panes, flanking a door.

  • Panel: A portion of a flat surface recessed, or raised from the surrounding area, distinctly set off by molding or some other decorative device.

  • Stretcher:A masonry unit or brick laid horizontally with its length parallel to the wall.


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  • Portico: A small porch composed of a roof supported by columns, often found in front of a doorway.

  • Member: A component part of a window.

  • Lintel: A horizontal structural element over an opening which carries the weight of the wall above it.

  • Header: A masonry wall unit of brick which is laid so that its short end is exposed.

  • Façade: The main exterior face of a building, sometimes distinguished from the other faces by elaboration of architectural or ornamental details.

  • Colonnette: A diminutive column which is usually either short or slender.

  • Bond or bonding: An amount of money (usually $5,000-$10,000) which must be on deposit with a governmental agency in order to secure a contractor's license. The bond may be used to pay for the unpaid bills or disputed work of the contractor. Not to be confused with a 'performance bond'. Such bonds are rarely used in residential construction, they are an insurance policy which guarantees proper completion of a project.

  • Building insurance: Insurance covering the structure of the building.

  • Brick lintel: The metal angle iron that brick rests on, especially above a window, door, or other opening.

  • Level Payment Mortgage: A mortgage with identical monthly payments over the life of the loan.

  • Span: The clear distance that a framing member carries a load without support between structural supports. The horizontal distance from eaves to eaves.

  • Brick ledge: Part of the foundation wall where brick (veneer) will rest.

  • Building insurance: Insurance covering the structure of the building.

  • Building paper: A general term for papers, felts, and similar sheet materials used in buildings without reference to their properties or uses. Generally comes in long rolls.

  • Cement: The gray powder that is the "glue" in concrete. Portland cement. Also, any adhesive.

  • Level: True horizontal. Also a tool used to determine level.

  • Reducer: A fitting with different size openings at either end and used to go from a larger to a smaller pipe.

  • Molding: A wood strip having an engraved, decorative surface.

  • Light: Space in a window sash for a single pane of glass. Also, a pane of glass.

  • Limit switch: A safety control that automatically shuts off a furnace if it gets too hot. Most also control blower cycles.

  • Post: A vertical framing member usually designed to carry a beam. Often a 4" x 4", a 6" x 6", or a metal pipe with a flat plate on top and bottom.

  • Lineal foot: A unit of measure for lumber equal to 1 inch thick by 12 inches wide by 12 inches long.

  • Lintel: A horizontal structural member that supports the load over an opening such as a door or window




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